Cursed be thee - a phrase that carries a weight of ancient folklore and superstition. Throughout history, curses have captivated human imagination and engendered fear and curiosity in equal measures. They are often associated with dark magic and supernatural powers, causing misfortune, suffering, and doom to those who incur their wrath. The concept of curses can be traced back to antiquity, where they featured prominently in various mythologies and belief systems. In ancient Greece, for example, curses were seen as the embodiment of divine punishment. People believed that gods and goddesses had the power to unleash curses upon mortals who defied or angered them.
To this end, Gamble—along with co-curators Liv Thurley, Laurence Philomene of feminist art collective The Coven, and Isabella Podpadec from the British-Icelandic punk-pop band Dream Wife—have brought together over 70 known and unknown young artists to reimagine the tarot deck for the 21st century.
Even as we move inexorably towards a neoliberal, late-capitalist view of society a view based on Enlightenment ideals of masculine rationality and bolstered by the astonishing technological advances of recent decades many pull away towards spiritual pursuits conventionally gendered as female. When we think about the Tarot as a divinatory art, we employ a mode of channeling to perhaps connect with our guides and call on Source energy to help us receive and divine messages within the cards.
People believed that gods and goddesses had the power to unleash curses upon mortals who defied or angered them. These curses could take many forms, such as infertility, illness, or even death. In ancient Egypt, curses were also prevalent.
The Artists Recreating the Tarot Deck for the 21st Century
A team of four female curators brought over 70 artists together to create a new, more diverse tarot deck for an upcoming London exhibition. See exclusive images from the deck.
January 5, 2017, 2:11pm"I feel like a lot of women in their mid-late twenties have this nostalgia for witchcraft or the occult, and it's partly due to growing up with films like The Craft or shows about being a teen witch," explains Ione Gamble, the co-curator of a forthcoming tarot-inspired art show and the editor-in-chief of Polyester magazine. "Witchcraft and being a teen witch was weirdly aspirational for so many of us growing up. Like, you're only a real outcast if you're a witch."
AdvertisementI've asked Gamble to explain why so many women are turning to alternate forms of spirituality: the occult, the tarot, sex magic, and regular old witchcraft. Even as we move inexorably towards a neoliberal, late-capitalist view of society—a view based on Enlightenment ideals of masculine rationality and bolstered by the astonishing technological advances of recent decades—many pull away towards spiritual pursuits conventionally gendered as female.
"I don't think that people who are interested in witchcraft or the tarot necessarily believe in it," Gamble argues. "It's more about women and other marginalized groups coming together and looking outside traditional patriarchal ways of viewing the world."
Ace of Swords, by Laurence Philomene
To this end, Gamble—along with co-curators Liv Thurley, Laurence Philomene of feminist art collective The Coven, and Isabella Podpadec from the British-Icelandic punk-pop band Dream Wife—have brought together over 70 known and unknown young artists to reimagine the tarot deck for the 21st century.
The resulting exhibition, What Does Our Future Hold?, features work from artists and designers such as Maisie Cousins, Hobbes Ginsberg, Clio Peppiatt, and Grace Miceli. Opening in London this weekend, we caught up with Gamble from her South London base to find out what the tarot can teach us about 2017, and had a look at some exclusive images from the forthcoming show.
Five of Cups, by Ava Asaadi
AdvertisementBROADLY: Hi Ione, thanks for speaking with us. What made you choose tarot?
Ione Gamble: My co-curator Isabella [Thurley] has practiced tarot throughout her life, as has Laurence [Philomene], and Isabella particularly is someone who'll bring her tarot cards out at parties and start reading for everyone. I feel that tarot is a way for women to talk and share their lives, even if they don't necessarily believe in it. It's not about reading your future so much as a way of talking about your experiences and what's happening to you. But—although the main tarot deck was created for women—the cards haven't been updated for such a long time. We're still working with really old imagery.
Page of Cups, by Jon Estwards
Tarot offers an opportunity for self-reflection. How important was it for you to integrate a political awareness in the exhibition, going into 2017?
It feels like a good time in general for self-reflection, given everything that happened politically in 2016. A lot of artists began to think about what place their art should have in the world, given how turbulent everything is right now. There's also so much negativity at the moment: People saying, "What's the point of making art," or feeling downtrodden and sad. It felt like a nice gesture to bring together a community of artists, in the same way you'd come together with your friends if you were reading tarot cards.
The World, by Tayler Smith
How did you choose the artists for the show?
We wanted a mix of more established artist and then newer talent. We also wanted to be diverse both in terms of the artists—having different genders and races. Diversity was really central to the exhibition: When we briefed the artists to create the cards we asked them to design with diversity in mind, so that the actual tarot deck itself would be representative of a broad range of people. In terms of the deck itself, we've matched each card to a particular artist—the hope is that people will literally be able to purchase it and use it themselves.
Six of Swords, by Lora Mathis
Why do you think it's important to embrace the occult, witchcraft, and alternate models of female spirituality?
One thing I like about this renewed interest in witchcraft and the occult is that we're coming to recognize more broadly that women aren't always inherently good or nice. The occult allows women to embrace their darker sides, and the idea of the sociopathic or evil women can be powerful. It's good for feminist rhetoric to move away from the idea that to be a feminist you have to be nice all the time. It's important to accept there are evil, nasty women in the world who aren't that perfect version of femininity.
Five of Pentacles by Nicolette Clara Iles
The show only runs for one night—is this down to financial reasons? The shortage of affordable art spaces in London is well-known.
It's really fucking difficult to find spaces in London. People see all these group shows which have drinks sponsorship and they think it's easy to put on a DIY space, but it's so hard. The exhibition only runs for one night because we don't have the money to pay for extended periods in galleries. There's a huge lack of accessible spaces in London, and the same can probably be said for cities all over.
What Does Our Future Hold? opens for one night only, on Saturday 7 January at Dye House 451. Any proceeds from print and tarot deck sales will go to anti-domestic violence campaigners Sisters Uncut.
The most famous of these is the curse of the pharaohs, which supposedly plagued anyone who disturbed the rest of the mummified Egyptian rulers. These curses were inscribed on tombs to warn off potential desecrators and were said to result in dire consequences, both in this life and the afterlife. Curses are not limited to ancient civilizations. In various cultures around the world, curses have persisted as a part of their folklore and traditions. In the Caribbean, for instance, the concept of the evil eye is prevalent. It is believed that certain individuals possess the ability to cause harm or misfortune simply through their envious gaze. These curses can be lifted through rituals, charms, or the intervention of spiritual healers. In popular culture, curses have also found their place in literature, movies, and even video games. Whether it's the infamous curse of the Black Pearl in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or the Curse of the Werewolf in classic horror tales, curses continue to captivate and terrify audiences. While curses may seem like fantastical tales, their influence on human psychology and behavior cannot be denied. The fear of being cursed has made people cautious in their actions and decisions. Many have sought protective talismans or consulted spiritual practitioners to ward off potential curses and bring good fortune into their lives. In conclusion, curses hold a significant place in human history and imagination. They embody the primal fears and desires of civilizations past and present. Whether they are seen as a symbolic manifestation of our own inner demons or as real supernatural forces, curses continue to fascinate and intrigue us. Cursed be thee, indeed - a phrase that serves as a reminder of the hidden powers that lie beyond our understanding..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Wandering Spirits: Restless Souls"
1. Emily - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "Cursed be thee". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe the interactions between the characters. Overall, this book failed to engage and entertain me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Benjamin - 2 stars - "Cursed be thee" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was too slow, and the plot didn't seem to go anywhere. I found it hard to stay engaged and ended up feeling bored and uninterested. The writing style also didn't captivate me, with clunky sentences and repetitive descriptions. I appreciate the effort put into the book, but it just didn't resonate with me.
3. Lily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Cursed be thee", but it didn't live up to my expectations. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many unanswered questions and making the story feel incomplete. While there were some interesting ideas, they weren't fully developed, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
4. Daniel - 1 star - I didn't enjoy "Cursed be thee" at all. The writing was choppy and inconsistent, making it hard to follow the narrative. The characters were also unlikable and poorly developed, making it impossible for me to root for them or invest in their journey. The plot seemed messy and disjointed, with no clear direction or purpose. Unfortunately, this book didn't appeal to me in any way, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - "Cursed be thee" had an intriguing premise, but it didn't live up to its potential. The execution fell short, with a confusing and convoluted storyline that left me feeling frustrated. The pacing was also off, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes feeling rushed. Ultimately, I found myself disconnected from the characters and the plot, resulting in a lackluster reading experience. Although there were some interesting elements, they weren't enough to salvage the overall book for me.